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Original poster

7 year old still not asleep!

58 replies

Cathylovesheathcliff · 24/12/2025 21:43

I’m shattered, want to go to bed but my 7 year old DS is still awake, he’s in bed and has been for an hour.
We’ve had a bath, story, now he has his tonie box on (the usual routine).

I knew he’d be excited tonight but still have Christmas Eve duties to do (stocking and bringing presents down!)

Anyone else in a similar boat?

OP posts:
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jpclarke · 25/12/2025 02:52

Finally in bed myself. It’s such a magical night but I really hope they are happy when they wake up. I will be the walking dead tomorrow

Teamreno · 25/12/2025 00:55

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 24/12/2025 22:13

Surely you dont wait for your teenagers to go to sleep before putting presents out?? That's bonkers

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My in laws still wait and do this for all the children and the youngest is 30 🤣 mum stays up until at least 1am until everyone has gone to bed and then creeps around filling stockings. The magic of Christmas. It's adorable, but I'm glad it's not me doing it.

Allbymyself123 · 25/12/2025 00:54

Burntt · 25/12/2025 00:24

lol my mother said Santa would stop when the kids stopped believing. I have never to this day told her I’ve worked it out 🤣

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Yeah i think thats why she believes. My oldest was 12 before she finally admitted defeat & my son 10. To be honest she’s sway with the fairies 90% of the time so probably does believe. I’ve never and won’t ever admit out loud the truth so think they’ll humour me.

got it all out now but i swear my husband has woke not just them but half the streets kids the way he is banging about & he said i was loud putting stuff out! Its taken an hour & is the most stressful year we’ve had despite them being older! At least next year i can legitimately threaten with no presents if i’m not in bed by 10.30!

DustlandFairytaleBeginning · 25/12/2025 00:48

My usually good sleepers (8 and 4) were up and down all night... last seen just after 11pm. I risked stockings at 12.15am and success! Can finally head to bed.

Soashamed60 · 25/12/2025 00:42

This has to be the nicest thread of the night 🤎 We are empty nesters and I miss this stage so much. Our ds is posted abroad wiith the Raf & it's the first Xmas without him ever. Make the most of it, even if you do have to use a couple of matchsticks to keep your eyes open!

Mexicansky · 25/12/2025 00:37

My 8 year old is still awake. I still have two presents to wrap and I am so tired. He’s now been crying in case he’s awake all night and FC doesn’t come. This is despite telling me for months he does not believe in Santa. Give me strength!!!!

TumbledTussocks · 25/12/2025 00:32

GarlicBreadStan · 24/12/2025 23:50

He's asleep!!

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mine too! just finished final jobs.
rhis year’s vigil is done. love listening all yours. Merry christmas everyone!

Screenager · 25/12/2025 00:30

randomchap · 24/12/2025 23:10

He'll probably never drink bud again. You've done him a favour

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winner!

MerryAndBrightLaLaLa · 25/12/2025 00:28

AmyDuPlantier · 24/12/2025 22:09

Oh my god wait til you have teenagers 😭

They won’t be asleep until probably about 1am…I am ready for this day to be done.

Currently waiting on my 3 teens to be asleep! 🙈🎄

JacknDiane · 25/12/2025 00:26

I remember ds asking for an antihistamine to try to get himself to sleep on Xmas eve...i swear he was a teenager...now hes mid 20s and in the pub as we speak, im in bed.

It does get better, honest 😂

Burntt · 25/12/2025 00:24

Allbymyself123 · 24/12/2025 22:25

i’m debating bed and getting up about 5am to do presents. Oldest is 15 & in bed younger are 11 but one still “believes” (think just doesn’t want to admit it out loud) so last year of santa for us i think but i’m so tired! They’ll all been up for toilet etc & everything is in the garage!

lol my mother said Santa would stop when the kids stopped believing. I have never to this day told her I’ve worked it out 🤣

Clearinguptheclutter · 25/12/2025 00:20

Ds10 very much not asleep and in a complete tiz over not being able to sleep
dh is trying to chat to him to calm him down

luckily I can hear ds12 snoring gently

blankcanvas3 · 25/12/2025 00:16

3 year old still hasn’t gone back to sleep 😬 we’re taking her into our bed now and crossing our fingers….no idea what to do re stocking!

RonaldMcDonaldTrump · 25/12/2025 00:06

My 9 year old has just drifted off half an hour ago after a period of crying about how he thinks he will be awake all night and begging us "not to open the presents without him" 😅

jpclarke · 25/12/2025 00:00

one of mine still awake, really trying hard to stay awake myself after a very long day

GarlicBreadStan · 24/12/2025 23:50

GarlicBreadStan · 24/12/2025 23:36

My 7 year old has just gotten into a right state - absolutely overtired and, because of this, nonstop tears for half an hour 🥺 after some warm milk, he's finally settling but I still don't think he's close to sleeping 😭 my poor baby

He's asleep!!

drusilla49 · 24/12/2025 23:47

When my DS was about the same age, he didn’t go to sleep until 4am one Christmas. Too excited! I think both him and me were in tears by then 😂

Happytap · 24/12/2025 23:45

My three year old fell fast asleep at 7 and is now wide awake wondering why Santa hasn't been yet! Argh!!!!!

Minniliscious · 24/12/2025 23:42

My 7 year old is only just dozing off now …. I need to put the presents out (still a couple to wrap) and fill his stocking. Really trying to keep my eyes open.

GarlicBreadStan · 24/12/2025 23:36

My 7 year old has just gotten into a right state - absolutely overtired and, because of this, nonstop tears for half an hour 🥺 after some warm milk, he's finally settling but I still don't think he's close to sleeping 😭 my poor baby

myglowupera · 24/12/2025 23:33

I think my 7 year old is just drifting off now.

HaveaVeryMerryBerryChristmas · 24/12/2025 23:24

AmyDuPlantier · 24/12/2025 22:09

Oh my god wait til you have teenagers 😭

They won’t be asleep until probably about 1am…I am ready for this day to be done.

Yes, but then no creeping about late at night to keep up the Santa facade! 😭 I think I'll miss it

AhBiscuits · 24/12/2025 23:22

My two (8 & 10) went to sleep fairly quickly but they will be up EARLY. I'll be yelling at them to go.back to bed at 4am.

Cece92 · 24/12/2025 23:20

I miss this stage 🥺 make the most of it honestly. My DD12 is in her bed watching tv. Once I go say night she does the loo does her teeth and don’t get back up. I’ve already put her stuff downstairs and filled her stocking. If she wanna stay up all night she can I ain’t lol! Xx

44PumpLane · 24/12/2025 23:18

I tell my two that they have to go to bed as I have to finish wrapping a couple of their presents from Dad and I......another beauty of not allowing Santa to take credit for EVERYTHING.

Husband went downstairs to set everything up while I sat on the stairs making sure no one one came downstairs (appreciate that's only possible in 2 parent families or where you have help..... And only if you have an upstairs)!

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